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Union workers are rallying in support of Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno against left-wing criticism promoted by his predecessor and former ally Rafael Correa as the date for a controversial referendum approaches.
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In Moreno's "Popular Consultation" referendum, Ecuadoreans would vote on seven questions ranging from extending the size of a protected area in the Amazon, to banning public servants found guilty of corruption from running for office.
The plebiscite was proposed by Moreno in order to "strengthen democracy" and is due to take place on February 4.
The Workers Unity Front (FUT) is spearheading a movement to strategically promote Moreno's "Yes" initiative, encouraging voters to consider the importance of their ballot at a time when allegations of illegality and illegitimacy are being leveled at the president.
Utilizing funds donated by the National Electoral Council (CNE), the movement will spread its message through informative television commercials, print media, advertising, radio interviews, billboards and flyers.
"The CNE will not give much, so we will study how to use them in those spaces," said Jose Villavicencio, FUT president. Supporters will also carry the message straight to citizens by going door-to-door.
However, such initiatives have met with widespread opposition among loyal supporters of Correa, who is still popular in the southernmost coastal regions.
Correa received a warm welcome Friday as he stepped off the plane in the city of Guayaquil. "He is coming to give a push to the 'No' campaign in a consultation that is unconstitutional, illegal and illegitimate," said Ricardo Patino, Correa's party leader.
But "Yes" supporter Nelson Erazo, president of the Popular Front, said: "It's good that he has come to answer for all the corruption of his government, so we will ask the justice not to let him leave the country."
Since leaving office, Correa has been openly critical of the the current administration and rejected the legitimacy of Moreno's referendum, which he called "a coup d'etat."
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Correa said last week that he would support the "No" movement against three specific points of the seven included in the referendum:
2. Election of new members of the Civic Participation Council.
3. Invalidating the amendment that allows indefinite re-election of elected positions.
6. Restriction of mineral mining.
The former president has called Moreno a "professional imposter" and wants him ousted for allegedly governing with the opposition and betraying the ruling party's leftist program.
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